TRENTON, 17 July (BelTA - Anadolu Agency) - Up to 37,000 residents have been evacuated as of Sunday as wildfires rage through Canada's westernmost province of British Columbia (B.C.)
An estimated 2,900 personnel are battling hundreds of blazes officials believe began when a series of lightning strikes touched off fires in the heavy forested interior of the province.
Those fires have been fanned by high winds and dry conditions, with B.C. transportation minister Todd Stone telling the media on a conference call Sunday the province could be “looking at weeks to come of a very challenging environment. “There is going to be ongoing risk,” he said.
Fire information officer Ellie Dupont told media she is not sure how many structures have been destroyed by the fire to date, although blazes have torn through several towns as the fire continues to burn aggressively, fed by dry woods.
The B.C. Wildfire Service estimated at least 9,400 hectares (23,000 acres) are burning in one area alone.
It is believed no one has been seriously injured, but several firefighters have been treated for minor injuries, according to Canadian media.
